Ethereum: How does a new block get distributed

How ​​New Blocks Are Distributed on Ethereum: A Step-by-Step Explanation

When a new block is created on the Ethereum blockchain, it’s not just about adding it to the list of existing blocks. In fact, it involves a complex process that involves several steps and checks. Here’s a detailed explanation of how a new block is distributed on Ethereum:

The Creation Process

A new block is created when a miner solves a complex mathematical puzzle known as a “hash function” using their computer’s processing power. This puzzle is designed to be difficult to solve, ensuring that only legitimate transactions can create a new block.

Once a miner solves the puzzle and has created a new block, they transmit it to the Ethereum network in a special message called a “block hash.”

The Validation Process

To ensure the integrity of the blockchain, the Ethereum network uses a validation process. This involves checking several key aspects of the new block:

• Transaction Validation: The new block is validated by checking that all transactions in the block are valid and have not previously been included in another block on the chain.

• Block Header Verification: The block header, which includes information such as the block number, gas limit, and nonce (a unique identifier), must be properly formatted and contain a sequence of hexadecimal numbers.

• Transaction Count Verification: Each transaction in the block must have an incrementing counter to ensure that transactions are not duplicated or corrupted.

• Gas Limit Verification: The total amount of gas available in the new block must be sufficient to process all transactions.

If these checks pass, the miner’s block is accepted into the Ethereum network and added to the blockchain as a separate “block” or “transaction.”

Advertise a new block

Yes, you’re right; a newly created block must advertise its existence to nearby nodes. This is known as “broadcasting.” Here’s how it works:

• Block headers are broadcast

  : Each transaction in a new block is included in a special data structure called a “block header,” which contains the information mentioned above.

• Node discovery: Nearby Ethereum network nodes, such as those running the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), use their built-in database or other mechanisms to find and store copies of these block headers.

• Node verification: When a node receives a new block header, it checks that the information matches its local copy by comparing the block hash, transaction count, gas limits, and other information.

If all checks pass and a node finds an exact match for the new block, they can store a reference to the block in their database. This allows nodes to verify the authenticity of any subsequent transactions that include that block as part of the chain.

How ​​Nodes Validate a New Block

Once a node receives a new block header and verifies its contents, it is ready to begin verifying subsequent blocks on the network. Here are some of the key steps involved in validating a new block:

• Transaction Validation: The node verifies that each transaction included in the new block is valid and follows Ethereum’s rules for including transactions in the blockchain.

• Block Header Comparison: The node compares its local copy of the block header with the new block header received from other nodes, ensuring that all information matches.

• Gas Limit Verification: The node verifies that the total gas available for the next block on the chain is sufficient to process any transactions.

• Hash Function Verification: The node verifies that the hash of the new block matches the expected value, ensuring that the puzzle was solved correctly.

ETHEREUM ACCURATE NETWORK TIME